Balancing device for flying-machines.



- Patented-Aug. 12,1913.-

P STOLBERG BALANCING DEVICE FOR FLYING MAGHINES.

PETER STOLIBEBG,

OF SAN EBA-NC ISCO, CAiJEEGB/NIA.

BALANCIIIIG DEVIGE FOB, FLYING-MAGHINLS.

Application filed November 20, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER S'ronn'nuo, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Balancing Devices for Flying-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawin s.

lhis invention relates to an improved. oar ancing or stablising device for flying machines and has for its primary object to provide a device of this character which is particularly designed for application to a oiplane whereby the machine may be readily controlled by the aviator and maintained in a proper no'sition in treacherous air currents.

Another and'more specific object of the invention resides in the provision of a pair of spaced ings or planes and means for locking the same in a normal stationary pwings being-so mounted, ti

sition, saio lat when released, they will move in unison, so as to deflect said currents and maintain the machine upon a proper balance.

A still further object of the invention is to produce a stahlizing' deyice for flying machines which is simple and durable in its construction, efficient and positive. in actual use and may he readily applied to biplanes and other macl has, as at present constructed without requiring any material alterations therein.

With the above as will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists 'in. certain constructions, combinations and arrange ments of the parts that 1 shall hereinafter fully describe and claim.

For a .iull understanding of the invention, reference is to he had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1s a perspective View of a hinlane having m improved stabliumg device applied thereto; Fig.2 1s a similar v1ew,showing the nosition ct the stahliziny wings after they have been released; Fig. 3 is a vertical section through one of the wings illustrating the mounting thereof; and Fig. 4 is a transverse section.

Referring in detail to the 6 designate the upper and lower planes resgse tirely, or" a flyings machineof the or and other objects in "viewdrawings, and

Specification of Letters ."Eateut.

Patented Aug. 12,1913.

Serial No. 732,520.

plane type. lhcse planes are connected and braced in any preferred manner, and the operators seat 7 is located centrally upon the lower plane 6.

Adjacent to each end of the lower plane 0, the vertically disposed stahlizing wings or planes 8 are mounted, said wings being; of a general semicircular form and normally extending fore and aft between the upper and lower planes or" the machine. To the lower edges oi the wings 8, the pivot studs 0 are attached said studs being loosely mounted in suitable step bearings 10. Also attachedto the lower edge of the wings 8 and adjacent to the opposite ends thereof, are the depending stud bolts 11 which {)1'016013 through arcuate slots 12 in the lower plane 6. A rod i3 is connected at its ends to the space wings 8 adjacent to the edge thereof aud on the approximate vertical center line of said wings, by means of the hall and socket joints 1%. A second rod-15 extends in parallel relation to the rod 13 and is located below and forward of the same and comparatively close to the lower plane (5 of the machine. This latter rod is also connected at its ends by means of the hall and socket joints 16 to the wings 8 adjacent to their forward edges. The extremities of said r'od extendbcyond 17 which at their free ends are adapted for engagement in longitudinal slots 18 formed in the lower plane (3.

is mounted adjacent to the operators seat '4 and is connected to the lower rod 15 whereby said rod may he shiftedtransversely to dispose the Wings 8 at an inclination with relation to the line of flight of the machine.-

The lever 19 is fulcrunied intermediate 0t its ends upon a suitable support, the rod 15 being loosely inounted in the lower end of said lever so that. the same may be freely rotated. A suitable handle member 20 is iixed to the rod 15 whereby the same may be turned to throw the ends of the crank arms 17 upwardly out otthc slots 18 in. the lower plane 6, thus permitting the wings 8 to freely turn from the pivots 9 as to assume various tudinally of the machine. Under normal conditions, however, these wiugsare locked against such turning movement by the engagement of the crank arms 17 in the slots 18. It will be apparent that as the wings a fulcrum An operating lever 19 T no i ' transversely is limited by means of the vertical rods or posts 21 which connect the upper and lower wings 5 and 6. This adjustment of the wings further serves to equilibrize the machine in its flight and also enables the operator to obtain the greatest lifting force from light air currents, the same impinging against the under faces of the wings when they ,are inclined, thus sustaining the machine in its flight. They may, however,

assume an extreme angle of about thirtyfive degrees from the perpendicular.

Fromthe above description, the construc tion and operation of the device will be readily understood. When the wings are released by turning the rod 15 to disengage the crank arms 17 from the slots 18, the air currents striking upon the wings 8 will maintain the machine upon a proper balance. The operator may readily adjust said wings to any desired inclination by simply shifting the lower rod 15 longitudinally. The upper rod 13 provides a connecting brace between the wings and prevents the same being broken or distorted by heavy air gusts. The device as a whole is comparatively simple in its construction and itwill be obvious that the same can be readily applied to flying machines of the biplane type without necessitating any modification in their construction whatsoever. The stablizing device is at all times under the instant control of the operator and will effectively prevent overbalaucing oi? the machine when struclt by a strong air current upon either side of its center.

While l have shown and described the preferred construction and arrangement of the various parts, it will be understood that the invention is susceptible of considerable mmlifieation without departing from the essential features or sacrificing any of the advanta thereof.

l laviug thus described the invention, what is claimed is: k

1. The combination with a biplane, of balancing means therefor comprising wings pivotally mounted upon the ends of t the lower plane, means to lock said Wings against pivotal movement, said means including a rod connecting the win s, said rod being adapted for transverse shii ting movement to dispose the wings at various transverse inclinations with relation to the plane, and means for guiding and limiting the pivotal movement of said wings.-

2. The combination with a biplane, of balancing means therefor comprisingwings pivotally mounted upon the opposite ends of the lower plane for transverse and longi tudinal adjustment, a rod connecting said wings to simultaneously dispose the same at a transverse inclination with relation to the line of flight, a second rod connecting said wings to simultaneously dispose thesa'ine at a-longitudinal inclination with relation to the line of flight, and locking means carried by said latter rod cooperating with the plane to lock said wingsin position against either longitudinal or transverse adjustment;

3. The combination with a biplane, of balancing means therefor comprising wings pivotally mounted upon the opposite ends 1 of the lower plane, said plane being provided with arcuat-e slots, stud bolts carried by the wings movable in said slots, a rod connecting said wings to sin'uiltaneously' acb just the same. to a longitudinal inclination E with'relat-ion to the line of flight, and arms. fixed to said rod, said plane being provided with slots to receive said arms and lock the wii'igs against adjustment.

4-. The combination with a biplane, of 9 wings pivotally mounted upon the opposite ends of the lower plane for transverse and longitudinal moven'ient with relation to the line of flight, a rod connected at its ends to said wings to simultaneously move the same 9 to a transverse inclination with i'elat-ionatn the line of flight, a second rod connecting said wings to shift the same to a longitudinal inclined position with relation to the line of flight, means for guiding and limiting 1 the latter movement of said wings, means for limiting the outward transverse adjustment of the wings, and additional means for locking said wings in their normal position with relation to the plane. 1

In testimony whereof I hereunto atlix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT G. MEYER, Mrs. HARRY A. DEMISEY.

topics at this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 20.0. 

